Dangerous turn

Sir — The protests against the visit of the deputy chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, Keshav Prasad Maurya, to Lakhimpur Kheri took a grim turn when four farmers were allegedly killed and several injured after being run over by a car that was part of the convoy in which the state home affairs minister’s son was travelling (“VIP car mows down farmers”, Oct 4). Four persons in the minister’s convoy were reportedly killed in the violence that followed. This is undesirable. The agitating farmers and the government must work out an amicable solution.

Sundar Subramaniam,
Coimbatore

Sir — The Lakhimpur Kheri incident is gruesome and needs to be strongly condemned. It is not an indicator of a civilized society. Agriculture is the backbone of the economy, farmers need to be treated like human beings. Yet, the state’s hatred towards the farmers is palpable. The cover-up has started with internet services being blocked in the region. Are these not signs of a despotic State?

Shovanlal Chakraborty,
Calcutta

Sir — The death of at least eight people at Lakhimpur Kheri is a serious matter. The confrontation reminds one of the early stages of the French Revolution — the fight between the oppressed classes and the ruling elite eventually culminated in a massacre. India’s rapid spiral into totalitarianism under the influence of capitalists is dangerous.

In a world with serious political, military and environmental problems, the future of the country must rest in the hands of the people, who must stay united. The powers that be are not in the least interested in the poor masses or the farmers or the countless millions of the uneducated and unemployed. The discontent and the frustration in the country is now of epidemic proportions. Politicians should address these problems because no government can afford to ignore the workers and the farmers.

Anwar Saeed,
Calcutta

Sir — The violence in Uttar Pradesh is heart-rending. The incident could have been avoided had the protests been dealt with sensibly. The government must reassure the protesting farmers by lending a ear to their apprehensions before the apex court has to intervene. The incident deserves a judicial enquiry, especially because the role of a Union minister and his son is in question.

D.V.G. Sankararao,
Nellimarla, Andhra Pradesh

Twisted tongue

Sir — In trying to promote Hindi, the Centre has failed to take into consideration what words in Hindi could mean in a different language (“The language back-lash”, Oct 2). This could also have serious implications. The change of the name of the mid-day meal scheme to PM Poshan Shakti Nirman Yojana, for instance, could make it difficult for people in states where Hindi is not the predominant language.

Anthony Henriques,
Mumbai

Sir — Although the language mix-up in Karnataka’s mid-day meal scheme may appear hilarious at first, the Centre’s cavalier attitude towards languages other than Hindi cannot be taken in jest. It reeks of ignorance as well as an unwillingness to learn — these are not good qualities in an elected government.

Sneha Kapoor,
Delhi

Break the spell

Sir — In a country where people — from politicians to celebrities to common families — depend on astrologers to guide them in life, suffice it to say that the future is bleak. While rationalists — Narendra Dabholkar was one — get killed protecting their countrymen from falling prey to superstition, television channels and newspapers continue to irresponsibly promote astrology. Under the present ruling regime, the scientific temper has already received severe blows. It is time India united to break the spell of superstition.

Ahita Goswami,
Calcutta